The safety and efficacy of methylnaltrexone in pediatric oncology patients: A single center experience.
J Oncol Pharm Pract
; 30(1): 4-8, 2024 Jan.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36946143
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Peripherally acting µ-opioid receptor antagonists (PAMORAs) are used in the treatment of opioid induced constipation without impacting the actions of opioid analgesics. Subcutaneous methylnaltrexone was one of the first PAMORAs approved in April 2008 for the treatment of opioid induced constipation in adult patients. The safety and effectiveness of methylnaltrexone has not been established in pediatric patients. In this study, the use of subcutaneous methylnaltrexone in pediatric patients is analyzed and reviewed. The primary outcome is occurrence of a bowel movement within 24 h after methylnaltrexone (MNTX) administration and the number of bowel movements following treatment with methylnaltrexone. Secondary outcomes include safety in this patient cohort.METHODS:
This is a retrospective study of 79 pediatric patients with opioid induced constipation. Patients were administered methylnaltrexone during their inpatient stay. Data on bowel activity after methylnaltrexone was obtained from the hospital information system.RESULTS:
Out of the 79 patients who received methylnaltrexone, there were seven patients from whom data could not be analyzed. Of the 72 patients whose data was available, 38% (N = 27) were documented as having a bowel movement, 62% (N = 45) did not have a bowel movement. Reported adverse events were minimal with nausea (N = 3), vomiting (N = 1), and flatulence (N = 6).CONCLUSION:
Methylnaltrexone appears safe in the pediatric population and produces bowel movements in more than a third of pediatric patients. It is a feasible and safe option for opioid induced constipation in pediatric patients.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Opioid-Induced Constipation
/
Naltrexone
/
Neoplasms
Type of study:
Observational_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Child
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
J Oncol Pharm Pract
Journal subject:
FARMACIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States